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Volume 11, No. 6
Friday, January 9, 2026
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CHRONICLE ONICLE ND KIR TLA
Kirtland City Council
Fire, Police Chiefs Bid Community Adieu other and that extends out to taking care of the community as well. We have the best, most dedicated, carKirtland City Council rang in ing firefighters that go above and the new year with bittersweet emo- beyond every day. Some may think tions as Fire Chief Anthony Hutton that’s their job, but just to underand Police Chief Brian McCallister D they do more to help the comstand, TL5.ANmunity and people than you could KIRJan. announced their retirements Hutton, who has served Kirtland ever imagine. Quiet, with no accofor 37 years, 23 of them as chief, will lades is just the way they want it.” officially retire Jan. 9, he said during Hutton thanked all the mayors council’s regular meeting. he has served under, council mem“It has been a blessing, an honor bers, department heads, city hall and a privilege to serve as fire chief staff — past and present — and the and live and work in the city of Kirt- Kirtland community for always supland,” Hutton said. “The Kirtland porting his department. Fire Department has always been “To all the Kirtland firefighters like a family. They take care of each See Council • Page 6
By Cassandra Shofar cassandra@karlovecmedia.com
Coffee with Council Coffee with Council is Saturday, January 10 10-11 a.m., at Kirtland City Hall. For more information, contact Joe Smolic at 440-487-8984 or JSmolic@ kirtlandohio.com
CHRONICLE SCREENSHOT
SCREENSHOT
Kirtland Fire Chief Anthony Hutton thanks city officials and the community for its support during his tenure. After 37 years with the department, Hutton will be officially retiring Jan. 9.
Police Chief Brian McCallister also announced his upcoming retirement during the Jan. 5 Kirtland City Council meeting. McCallister said Kirtland will always hold a special place in his heart.
Girls Basketball Looks to A Bright Future Ahead By Alan Kornspan sports@karlovecmedia.com With previous Hornets Head Girls Basketball Coach Matt Ridgeway now serving as an assistant coach for the Hornets Boys Basketball Team, and many experienced players lost to graduation, leading the Hornets Girls Basketball program this season is veteran basketball coach Paul Force. As one of Northeast Ohio's top basketball coaches, Force led the Eastlake North Rangers Girls Basketball Team for the last 17 years, winning 4 OHSAA District Championships and taking his team to two OHSAA regional finals. Taking over the Hornets program for the 2025-2026 season, Force leads a team of mostly underclassmen with little varsity experience. This season's Hornets girls basketball roster includes three seniors (Silvia Ingram, Lauren Palagyi, Payton Sanzo), three juniors (Katherine Bradshaw, Karli DiFranco, Anna Dumstorff), four sophomores (Payton Adkins, Josie Burich, Julia Cottrell, Kylie Sayle), and four freshmen (Elliana Allen, Gabby D'Amato, Ava Kostelnik, Alivia Mason). Leading the Hornets offense will be junior guard Anna Dumstorff. Coach Force said that her game has made great strides as the coaching staff has been focused on helping
ALAN KORNSPAN/KMG
ALAN KORNSPAN/KMG
Kirtland junior Anna Dumstorff during the team’s 46-27 victory over the Orange Lions on Dec. 22.
Dumstorff score both from the outside and down in the low post. “(We're trying to help her have) a short memory as a shooter. When she's open, any open shot from Anna is a good possession,” Force said. Also returning this season for the Hornets is senior Lauren Palagyi. “Lauren is a returning starter for us,” Coach Force said. “She is a great senior leader.” In addition to Palagyi and Dumstorff, most of the other players have had limited varsity experience. With many varsity newcomers, Coach Force said it has been See Girls • Page 2
Kirtland senior guard Lucas Renfro is a scorer who is skilled in the open floor when the Hornets need a basket. The Hornets will try to duplicate last season’s Final Four success.
Boys Basketball Dominant To Start Season By Alan Kornspan sports@karlovecmedia.com The Kirtland Hornets Boys Basketball Team made a great run in the 2025 OHSAA Div. 6 playoffs. After defeating Rittman (69-37), McDonald (74-60), Lake Center Christian Christian (60-48), Smithville (81-72) and Dalton (59-51), the Hornets faced Monroe Central in their first appearance in the OHSAA final four in 35 years. Finishing their 2024-2025 season with a final four appearance and a 19-9 record, the Hornets again look poised to make a deep playoff run.
Returning to lead the 2025-2026 Hornets Boys Basketball Team is senior standout guard Lucas Renfro. Joining Renfro will be fellow seniors Ryan Caimi, Jared Cottrell, Mike Dumstorff, Jake LaVerde, Daniel Shafer and Jay'Veion Ware. Juniors on the 2025-2026 squad include Jackson Cramp, Ryan Green, Mario Lorber, Nick Nead, Sam Ridgeway and A. J. Runyan. With a veteran squad of upperclassmen, the Hornets are a relatively tall basketball team with nine of their 14 players listed at 6 feet 2 inches and above. See Boys • Page 2
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